Period Leave or Performative Policy? What Indian Working Women Really Feel

Let’s talk about something that’s still a taboo, something so natural yet so often ignored or pushed under the rug – period leave. The topic has sparked a wave of debates in the
workplace, especially for women in India. On one hand, you have progressive companies
advocating for period leaves, while on the other, you have traditional offices that either shy away from it or feel it’s “unnecessary.” But what’s the truth? What do women really think about it?

I recently had a conversation with a close friend, Nisha, who works in a large corporate firm. Her take was straightforward: “I would never ask for period leave. The minute they offer it, I feel like they’ll just think I’m incapable of working at full capacity, and that’s just going to make things worse for me in the long run.” Nisha’s perspective isn’t unique. For many women, period leave is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s an acknowledgment of something biological that they face each month, but on the other, it can feel like a stigma attached to their ability to perform at work.

The Argument: Shouldn't Women Have the Option?

It’s undeniable that women face challenges when they’re on their periods – cramps, fatigue, headaches, and more. For some, it’s more severe, leading to what we call “period pain” or “dysmenorrhea,” which can leave them bedridden. Now imagine having to perform at work while battling such discomfort. It’s not about taking a day off just because they feel like it, but more about allowing women the grace to prioritize their health and well-being.

Yet, companies, even progressive ones, are hesitant about this. Many worry that offering period leave would create a divide. “Why give period leave? That’ll just make us hire men instead,” says a senior HR manager at a mid-sized tech company. It’s just going to be one more thing to handle. It’s better to hire a man if women are going to take these days off.

This is the exact sentiment echoed by Smriti Irani, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development. In a statement from a few years ago, Smriti commented, “We must remember that period leave is not the way forward for equality. It may seem well-meaning, but it would end up making women feel inferior.” It’s been a while since that remark, but the conversations around it continue to resonate. Is it really about equality, or is it just another performative policy?

The Performative Policy: What Does It Really Mean?

For some women, period leave feels like a performative policy. It looks good on paper, like a band-aid for gender equality in the workplace, but is it enough? Does giving women a day off every month actually address the core issues? Or is it a hollow gesture to show that companies are “caring” about women’s health?

Let’s talk about another side of this conversation. Many women feel that the real challenge is not the absence of period leave, but the need for proper workplace policies that support women holistically. Policies like flexible hours, remote work options, and a culture of understanding when it comes to women’s health issues. In reality, what many women really want is the space to be themselves at work without constantly feeling like they’re juggling between their gender and their role.

Maya, a friend who works in a startup, put it this way: “I don’t need period leave, but I do need a boss who understands that I might be slower during my period days or need a moment to rest. What I need is compassion, not a policy that feels like it's just ticking a box.”

The Reality: Periods Don’t Stop Work, But They Do Affect Performance

Let’s dig into the reality of how periods affect a woman’s work performance. Imagine working in a high-pressure job where deadlines don’t wait for your cramps to subside, or in a job where you’re expected to be at your desk at 9 a.m., no excuses. For many women, the experience of working through their period feels like a battle between their body and their productivity. Some women simply power through, but not without cost.

At a multinational company, working through challenging days is something many employees experience, especially when their health is not at its best. “It’s not about asking for special treatment,” one employee explained. “It’s more about having a workplace that acknowledges the human side of its people and doesn’t expect you to be ‘on’ all the time. Sometimes, a bit of understanding goes a long way in helping employees perform at their best.

But why does this matter? Because the pressure to be perfect, to not show any signs of “weakness,” comes at a cost. It’s emotionally draining and it affects mental health. Women constantly have to prove that they’re just as capable, if not more, than their male counterparts. The expectation to work through everything, including menstruation, without acknowledgment, contributes to burnout. In a way, these kinds of policies, while well-intentioned, may sometimes exacerbate the stigma rather than solve the underlying issue.

What Women Really Want: A Culture of Empathy

So, what do women really want when it comes to period leave? More than just a policy. They want understanding. They want a workplace culture that treats them as equals while acknowledging the physiological realities they face. It’s about the empathy that’s often missing from many work environments.

We need to talk about the kinds of spaces that foster real inclusion. Women want policies that don’t single them out but rather give them the flexibility to manage their work while managing their health. What if there was no need for period leave because women had access to flexible work hours, understanding managers, and a team culture that prioritised mental and physical health over rigid expectations?

The truth is, we are at a crossroads. On one side, period leave is being debated like a
“nice-to-have” policy, but on the other, there’s a growing demand for deeper, more meaningful changes in how workplaces function. Period leave may be a start, but it isn’t the solution. Real change comes with understanding the challenges women face every day and building an empathetic workplace culture that supports everyone’s health, gender, and personal needs.

The Path Forward: Making It Real

So, where do we go from here? Maybe the answer isn’t just about period leave. It’s about
creating a space where every woman feels that her needs, whether physical or emotional, are acknowledged. It's about addressing the real issues that affect women in the workplace – gender bias, work-life balance, and mental health – without relying on performative policies that only skim the surface.

After all, women don’t need to fight against their bodies to prove their worth. They need a workplace that values them for who they are, not just what they can do.

Let’s create spaces where empathy and support are the policies that matter. Not the kind that exists just to check a box, but the kind that changes lives. Only then will we truly see a shift in the way women experience work, period.